- 1080p live video
- Motion sensor
- Bark sensor
- Remote control robot
- Treat dispenser
- Night vision
- Motion tracking
- 360-degree coverage
- No treat dispenser
- Live video
- Automatic laser pointer
- No night vision
- Controllable laser pointer
- Built-in Alexa
- No treat dispenser
Bottom line: Furbo is top dog
The Furbo Dog Camera has winning features that get our tails wagging.
In addition to a treat launcher and night vision, it’s the only pet camera we encountered with sound detection that senses barking. If your pup has a bad barking habit, the Furbo will alert you. From the app, you can also talk to your pet and give them a yummy treat.
The Furbo pet camera live streams in sharp 1080p video, night or day. You get a clear image of your pet from the app, and they’ll get reassurance that you’re never far away.
And while it’s on the pricey side, it’s not the most expensive camera on our list.
Here are the top pet cameras for 2020
Compare the best pet cameras
| Pet camera |
| List price* |
| Video quality |
| Two-way audio |
| Motion detection |
| Night vision |
| Treat dispenser |
|
Best for dogs
|
Most fun
|
Budget pick
|
Best for cats
|
Best app
|
| Furbo Dog Camera | Skymee Owl Robot | Wyze Cam Pan | Pawbo Pet Camera | Petcube Play 2 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $199.00 | $169.99 | $37.95 | $149.99 | $179.00 |
| 1080p | 1080p | 1080p | 720p | 1080p |
| Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
| Yes ✓ |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
| Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
| Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Chewy |
*Amazon.com prices as of 09/23/20 09:48 pm MST.
Our approach
As pet owners ourselves, we couldn’t pass up a chance to test these cameras in our own homes. So to get a closer look at pet cameras, we took one home and tested it out. We checked for video quality, ease of use in the app, and extra features that made the pet cam fun for humans and animals alike. Based on our findings, we compared the cameras and created our best-of list along with the reviews below.
Read our full methodology to find out more about how we research and review products.
Reviews: Best pet cameras
1. Furbo dog camera: Best for dogs
The Furbo Dog Camera was designed for dogs and their best friends (you!).
It sports two-way audio, night vision, and a pet treat dispenser—all controllable from the mobile app. You can monitor and play with your pup from work, while you’re on vacation, or from down the hall.
Our favorite feature is the bark alert, a feature that sends alerts to your phone when the Furbo detects barking. It’s especially helpful if you have a vocal canine.
Pros
- 1080p camera
- Night vision
- Treat dispenser
- Bark sensor
Cons
- High price tag
- Subscription required for cloud storage
Furbo also has two-way audio, so you can talk to your dog from the app. The audio through the speaker is clear enough to catch your dog’s attention, too. So whether they’re barking up a storm or just lonely, you can talk to them through your mobile device.
Our only complaint is that Furbo requires a subscription to use its cloud storage service if you want to keep records of your dog’s activities.
You’ll get a 90-day free trial, but after that, you’ll have to pay $6.99 per month or $69 for the whole year. With a price tag around $200, this might be out of reach for many.
2. Skymee Owl Robot: Most fun
The Skymee Owl Robot is like a pet for your pet. It’s part robot, part treat dispenser, part HD camera, but all fun for pets and their owners.
Like all the pet cams we’ve picked, it comes with a companion app that lets you talk to your furry friends and control the camera. The big difference is the Owl Robot can move around the house and interact with your pet.
Pros
- Moving remote-controlled robot
- Treat dispenser
- Night vision
- Two-way talk
Cons
- May scare anxious pets
- May lose treats around the house
This cylindrical robot is built for speed with its two tough plastic wheels on each side. The app has pre-programmed actions, so you can make the robot wiggle, spin, and flip to catch your pet’s attention.
Once your pet catches the Owl Robot (or whenever you press the treat button), it dispenses treats.
We love how interactive this Skymee pet camera is. You can play with your dogs and cats from anywhere with Wi-Fi and even take the Owl Robot out for walks with your dogs.
With all the features and controls in the app, you and your pup are bound to have lots of fun, even when you aren’t home.
3. Wyze Cam Pan: Budget pick
The Wyze Cam Pan security camera wasn’t designed for pet monitoring. It lacks pet-focused features in the other cameras, but its key features (like two way audio and wide angle viewing) show that you don’t need a pedigree to make the top of our list.
This Wyze model has helpful camera features, including night vision, motion tracking, video streaming, and two-way audio. It can swivel a full 360 degrees in under three seconds, and it has pan-and-tilt capabilities to give you an additional 93 degrees of vertical viewing.
Pros
- 360-degree view
- Night vision
- High-definition video
- Two-way audio
Cons
- Noisy movement
- No treat dispenser
- Delayed motion detection
Its motion detection feature moves the camera as it tracks your dog or cat around the room.
The motion tracking is both noisy and a little delayed, and the sound quality for the two-way talk feature isn’t crystal clear. But the Wyze Pan Cam’s 1080p high-definition live video is clearer than many other pet cameras we saw.
Given the low price point, we’re impressed.
Get wise about Wyze
4. Pawbo Pet Camera: Best for cats
The Pawbo Pet Camera is a good camera for any pet, but its features fit felines fantastically.
I took it home to test with my cat, Toki. He loved the built-in laser pointer and a treat dispenser. And I found ringtones that meow, squeak, or crinkle like a plastic bag to catch his attention.
Pros
- Automatic laser pointer
- Wide-viewing angle
- Live video
- Treat dispenser
Cons
- No night vision
- Average video quality
- Spotty streaming
The Pawbo’s laser pointer is controllable from your mobile device, making it easy to play with your cat while they’re home alone.
The app also lets you share images and videos from your Pawbo cam on social media and on your iOS or Android device.
Plus, the pet treat dispenser is a fun way to reward your kitty. It holds only a handful of treats, so you’ll have to make sure it stays full.
Unfortunately, Pawbo’s camera isn’t the cat’s pajamas. It has a wide 130-degree viewing angle and a 4x digital zoom. But at 720p, it doesn’t produce the high-definition video of its pet camera counterparts. It also lacks night vision, and motion tracking can lag.
So while its live video quality isn’t the best, this camera will at least help you see if your kitty is snoozing or sneaking around.
5. Petcube Play 2: Best app
The Petcube Play 2 is the newest incarnation of a camera we love, and it’s powerful enough to keep up with your pets.
Its newest version has the same built-in laser toy, two-way audio, and night vision from the first one. But new software updates boosted its field of view from 138 to 180 degrees, plus a 4x zoom. So you can count the whiskers on your best friend’s face from anywhere in the room.
Pros
- Controllable laser pointer
- Easy setup
- Built-in Alexa
Cons
- No treat dispenser
- Best features require subscription
Petcube Care costs under $10 per month, giving you filters, 30-second video clips, three days of video history, smart alerts, and more. Adding another subscription service to your list might be a turn-off, the benefits are worth it.
And while the Petcube Play 2 doesn’t have a treat dispenser, its sister pet cams do. The Bites and Bites 2 can both bring the goods to your pets.
We unbox Petcube Play 2
More pet cams worth a look
Whether you want a pet cam to watch your puppy during his first week home alone or to keep an eye on your mischievous cats, there are tons of options out there. Here are a few other nominees you should check out.
6. PetChatz Pet Camera: Luxury pick
At almost $400, the PetChatz pet cam costs as much as a month of doggy daycare.1 But it’s full of fancy features: you can video chat with your pet, feed them treats, calm them with soothing scents, and entertain them with DOGTV. It even has a button they can press to call you.
Aside from the steep price, the only other drawback of the PetChatz is the camera’s narrow viewing angle. At just 65 degrees, it’s significantly smaller than the other cameras.
7. Yi Dome Camera: Budget pick
The Yi Dome Camera is subtle and understated, but its swiveling head allows you to see everything in the room. This pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) camera makes it easier to see more from anywhere you put it and it costs less than $40.
Whether your dog’s wandering just out of frame or the cat’s hiding out of view again, you can follow them from the Yi app.
It has motion detection, night vision, and shoots footage in clear 1080p HD. But while the Yi is a great camera, it lacks pet-focused features like treats or laser toys for kitties.
8. Conico Pet Camera: Best multipurpose camera
While this Conico camera is designed with pet owners in mind, its motion trackers mean it can double as a security camera or nanny cam for humans as well.
Similar to the Yi Dome Camera, the Conico Pet Camera swivels, tilts, and zooms to catch the action from any angle. It also connects with your Amazon Echo, so you can integrate it with the rest of your smart devices.
It costs under $50 and comes with optional paid cloud storage. It’s an affordable investment if you want to keep footage of Fido even with a subscription.
What to consider before buying a pet cam
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Pick pet-friendly features
Pet sitters and doggy daycare are good options when you need to leave your pet home alone.
Pet cams require only one up-front payment unless you opt for cloud storage or subscription-based extras.
When shopping for a dog or cat camera, think about how much time you spend away from home and what your biggest concerns are when it comes to your pet.
If you’re worried about your pet’s safety, you’ll want a pet monitor camera with a wider field of view and two-way audio. If your pet has anxiety, a camera with treats and games might help them relax.
Provide pet-friendly toys and entertainment
If you leave your pet at home for long periods of time, they’re going to need food, water, and plenty of entertainment. Some pet cams come with safe toys like laser pointers, but you’ll want to make sure their other toys are safe, too.
Create a pet-friendly environment
While pet cams can help you keep an eye on your furry friends, they don’t guarantee complete safety.
Cats and dogs may eat dangerous household items and plants. So before you leave them alone, be sure your home is poison proofed and that any hazards are out of the way.
There are plenty of reasons to get a pet cam, but a security system can also help keep your pets safe. If you get a system with professional monitoring, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will alert a monitoring center that can send help right away in an emergency.
Pet Cameras FAQ
Why do I need a dedicated pet cam?
A dedicated pet camera can be helpful to keep an eye on your pet’s health, moderate their behavior, and engage with them while you’re away.
Catching your dog chewing on furniture could not only save your couch, but it could also alert you that your dog is hungry, anxious, or stressed. When you’re gone, your pet can get bored, lonely, and anxious.
Taking time out of your day to visit your pet, even virtually, can help keep both you and your pet content and happy.
What’s the difference between a dog camera and a cat camera?
It’s all in the features. While most pet cameras work for all kinds of pets, we recommend getting a camera with features that fit your pet’s needs and interests.
- Pet cameras with laser pointers work best for cats.
- Pet cameras with treat launchers and bark sensors are better for dogs.
Where should I put my pet camera?
Putting your pet camera at (or slightly above) your pet’s eye level will give you the best viewing angle.
If your camera comes with extra features, experiment with placement to find the right spot. Keep in mind that laser pointers usually work better when the device is closer to the ground, and bright lights from windows or lamps can interfere with video quality.
How do I train my pet to come to the pet camera when I’m not home?
Positive reinforcement works best. Several of the cameras on this list have tones and calls you can use to condition your pet to come to the camera.
Start by showing the camera to your pet, and dispense a treat. This shows them where the camera is and that it’s safe. Then, use the ringtones or two-way audio to call them to the device, and dispense a treat.
Do this several times—then get a friend or family member to encourage your pet to respond to the camera while you’re out of the house or in another room. Like any learned behavior, it just takes practice (and lots of treats).
Sources
- Angie’s List, “How Much Does Doggy Day Care Cost?” June 2015. Accessed September 23, 2020.
*Amazon.com list price as of 09/23/20 09:48 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of this date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any prices and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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